Past Fellows

Various experts have been affiliated with ASPI in the past through the Jack Wadsworth and Bernard Schwartz fellowship programs.

Jack Wadsworth Fellows Program

Asia Society’s Jack Wadsworth Fellows Program is designed to strengthen the Society's pre-eminent role in business programming across the Society's global network of 11 centers. The program honors Jack Wadsworth, a pioneer in developing a leadership role for American business in Asia.

Almost 60 years ago, Asia Society's founder John D. Rockefeller 3rd recognized the potential of the U.S.-Asia relationship and the likelihood that Asia would be increasingly important economically in the world. Today, this relationship is critical given Asia's growing economic and financial power and the inextricably linked trade patterns between the U.S. and Asia.

Asia Society has a long history of business programming. At the center of this was the annual Asian Corporate Conference, which for 20 years created links between Asia Society's extensive network of experts, U.S. and Asian business, and key government officials from both hemispheres. With U.S. multinational companies already established in Asia and Asian companies going global in greater numbers, Asia Society is shifting its business programming to smaller conferences focused on specific areas or issues.

The Jack Wadsworth Fellows Program is designed to help meet this need, by providing provide financial support to a distinguished journalist, scholar, or practitioner with experience in Asia to spend six to nine months at one or more of Asia Society's Centers.

Bernard Schwartz Fellows Program

The Bernard Schwartz Fellows Program sought to contribute to a better understanding of policy challenges and opportunities related to the growing importance of Asia in the international political arena and global economy. The program selected highly qualified professionals to serve as resident fellows at Asia Society’s headquarters in New York City for up to one year. During the course of their residencies, Schwartz Fellows direct a major and original policy project, including writing a policy-relevant publication for the Asia Society Policy Institute.

Additionally, Asia Society relied on Schwartz Fellows to provide in-house expertise via the media. Opportunities to present their work and/or participate in panel discussions, conferences, and other events at the Society’s Centers in the United States and Asia were also arranged. In these ways, Schwartz Fellows played an important role in the Society's mission of promoting policy dialogue and public education on Asia.

Past Fellows

bio

Thomas E. Donilon

Thomas E. Donilon, former National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama, is a former Distinguished Fellow with the Asia Society Policy Institute.
bio

Jeffrey Kupfer

Jeffrey Kupfer was the 2014 Bernard Schwartz Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, focusing on best practices in Asia’s energy sector and U.S.-Asia relations vis-à-vis energy security.
bio

Shom Sen

Shom Sen was Asia Society’s first Jack Wadsworth Fellow, focusing on global trade policy and food innovation and food security issues.
bio

Alexander Evans

As a 2012 Bernard Schwartz Fellow at Asia Society, Alexander Evans led an initiative focused on the U.S. and South Asia after Afghanistan.
bio

Philip Shishkin

As a 2011 Bernard Schwartz Fellow at Asia Society, Philip Shishkin focused on the turbulent dynamics of Central Asia.
bio

Hassan Abbas

Dr. Hassan Abbas was a 2010 Bernard Schwartz Fellow, focusing on U.S.-South Asia relations, especially in the context of political dynamics in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
bio

Nobuyoshi Sakajiri

As a 2009 Bernard Schwartz Fellow, Nobuyoshi Sakajiri focused on Northeast Asian security and China's domestic economic, political, and social issues.
bio

Simon Tay

Simon S.C. Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, served as a 2009 Bernard Schwartz Fellow.
bio

Mira Kamdar

Mira Kamdar was a Bernard Schwartz Fellow at the Asia Society in 2008, working on issues of equity and sustainability and on a changing U.S.-Asia relationship.
bio

Tion Kwa

Tion Kwa was a 2008 Bernard Schwartz Fellow based at the Asia Society's Washington Center, focusing on trade issues between the U.S. and Asia and on regional security.
bio

Pramit Pal Chaudhuri

Pramit Pal Chaudhuri was a 2007 Bernard Schwartz Fellow and is a member of Asia Society's Global Council.
bio

Sadanand Dhume

Sadanand Dhume was a 2007 Bernard Schwartz Fellow at the Asia Society's Washington Center, focusing on political Islam and economic development in Asia.